The skies above Desolate Heaven Capital were awash with divine light, streaks of color trailing behind flying ships that split the clouds with terrifying force.
One after another, the greatest powers of the empire descended—sect and clan alike—gathering for the most anticipated event in a generation.
The Dragon and Phoenix Competition!
The arrival plaza below buzzed with energy. Onlookers—disciples, rogue cultivators, merchants, and nobles—had long gathered, hoping to catch a glimpse of the legends of their time.
Just then, a massive flying ship shaped like a burning sun pierced through the heavens.
“The Azure Sun Holy Sect has arrived!”
The ship was cast in radiant gold, surrounded by halos of solar essence. The air around it warped from the intensity.
A young man stood at its prow—his long red robes flapping wildly.
His presence alone made the weaker cultivators around feel like they were being baked alive.
“That’s Jin Yuanzhan! The Azure Sun Prodigy! Rumored to have fused his core with a piece of the Sun Dao Stone!”
“He was already at Peak Nascent Soul Realm before twenty!”
His golden eyes swept over the crowd coldly before he disappeared into the ship’s cabin.
…
No sooner had the echoes of heat died than the sky rippled once more.
“The Celestial Jade Hall is next!”
Their vessel was elegant, adorned with glittering jade runes. It gave off a calm, spiritual aura, as if untouched by mortal dust.
Descending from the ship were several women in flowing pale-green robes, led by an otherworldly beauty with a serene smile.
“That’s Shui Lian’er, the Celestial Ice Jade Fairy! She hasn’t spoken a word in three years…”
“They say she’s on the verge of breaking into the Soul Formation Realm!”
“She has already mastered Celestial Jade Hall’s Heavenly Jade Butterfly Storm!”
“There is a big chance that she will be winning this competition.”
Suddenly, thunder cracked!
A surge of scarlet lightning split the skies, followed by the thunderous roar of a crimson beast.
“The Crimson Thunder Palace!”
Their ship resembled a war chariot carved from lightning. Every time it moved, a boom followed.
Their participants came out of the Flying Ship who was led by not their elder but by a young man.
He wore a black-red, arms crossed, lightning coiling beneath his feet.
“Lei Zhensheng! He defeated an elder of a Mid Sect with a single punch!”
“He’s the heir to the Crimson Thunder Palace—and a madman in battle.”
“His thunder dao is violent and destructive… and he’s never lost a duel.”
“He is the strongest of his generation. I wonder who is stronger between him and Bai Zihan?”
“Bai Zihan? He is just a coward. Otherwise, why would he not participate?”
…
“It’s the Heaven Sword Sect!”
A ship shaped like a divine longsword glided down next, elegant yet overwhelming. Sword intent flooded the sky as if to challenge the heavens themselves.
At the forefront stood Bai Xueqing, cold as frost and sharp as steel.
To her left stood Chu Ziyan, smiling casually.
And beside them, with a newfound air of confidence, was Lin Xuan, exuding calm, deadly intent.
“That’s Bai Xueqing! One of the favorites to win the Competition.”
“There is also Han Zhenwu!”
“But where’s Bai Zihan?”
“They say he’s not coming. Must be scared of someone.”
“Hah! He’s all name, no bite. The genius who refuses to compete—how convenient.”
Then, a pressure far heavier than any before descended.
“Look—it’s the Li Clan!”
Their ship appeared like a molten mountain wrapped in black flame. From within walked Li Meiying, her crimson eyes glowing.
Every step she took left behind a smoldering lotus that burned in place.
“Li Jianhong’s daughter… It seems like she has become even stronger!”
“She once incinerated a Demon Beast with just her gaze.”
“She is said to be in seclusion for three years. Perhaps she was preparing for Dragon and Phoenix Competition these past years.”
“Li Clan must be taking this competition very seriously.”
“Of course, they are. They can regain their prestige if they win!”
Soon after, another similar sized Flying Ship entered the audience’s view.
“The Zhao Clan follows!”
Descending first was Zhao Chen, his black robes inlaid with gold thread. His steps were slow, but his gaze pierced the horizon.
“That’s the Zhao Clan’s Prodigy… Zhao Wutian’s son!”
“He is said to have one of the brightest minds. Sadly, even he was played by Bai Zihan.”
“Yeah! Li and Zhao Clan suffered greatly at the Bai Clan. Who told them to be arrogant and think that they could defeat the Bai Clan?”
“Still, it seems like he has made significant progress.”
…
Many people from Li and Zhao couldn’t help but get angry as they began hearing such words.
It wasn’t new!
It has been happening ever since they lost that War, a year ago.
Many things have happened since then their credibility and reputation has reached a new bottom.
Even some of their allied Clans have started to exit the alliance and are apparently looking to join the Bai Clan’s alliance.
So, now their hope of overturning was for them to win the Dragon and Phoenix Competition and to show the world that they were still the Top Three Strongest Clan of Desolate Heaven Empire.
Just when the crowd thought it couldn’t get more overwhelming—
A divine crane’s cry echoed, and clouds parted like curtains.
“The Bai Clan… is here!”
A snow-white ship descended like a heavenly pavilion. It didn’t roar like the others—it simply arrived, yet silenced the crowd with its presence.
The participants from the Bai Clan descended. And of course, there was no Bai Zihan.
“Wait… Bai Zihan isn’t here?”
“He truly isn’t showing up?”
“This is the strongest youth of our time—and he refuses to compete?”
Despite the rumors, despite the questions…
The flying ship docked.
The top three clans of the Desolate Heaven Empire had now arrived: Li, Zhao, and Bai—each with monstrous geniuses representing them.
Li-Zhao Clan couldn’t help but glare angrily at the Bai Clan like they couldn’t wait to kill them.
Of course, it was similar for the Bai Clan or perhaps even more.
After all, it was the Li-Zhao Clan that invaded their territory.
The plaza had reached its peak.
The air boiled with tension. Envy, ambition, killing intent—every emotion surged.